Brian Conway and Brendan Dolan--Irish Fiddle and Flute Workshops

Workshops on the finer points of Irish music for intermediate to advanced students.Brian Conway will offer a workshop for intermediate to advanced students in the fine points of Sligo-style Irish fiddling. Brendan Dolan will offer a workshop in Irish flute (although if there is demand for Irish piano accompaniment, he will offer that workshop as well or instead).The workshops will be held in at Sean Doherty's house in the DelRay Section of Alexandria, VA from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. on Saturday, Janaury 8, 2005. The fee for either workshop is $30 for members of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington or the Irish Breakfast Band, and $33 for others.Each workshop is aimed at intermediate to advanced students, and the capacity is 15 students for each workshop. For reservations (and directions to the workshop site), contact Sean Doherty at 703-548-3095 or mdoherty@erols.com. About Brian and Brendan:Brian Conway, 1986 All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Champion, comes straight from the heart of Sligo tradition. A student of Martin Mulvihill and Martin Wynne and colleague of Andy McGann (who was tutored by Michael Coleman himself), the Bronx native has been a fixture in the New York Irish music community virtually since his first Fleadh junior title at the age of 12. His latest CD, First Through the Gate, was released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and was named 2002's "CD of the Year" by the Irish Echo. In this workshop, Brian will explore the various techniques and nuances that give the Sligo style its inimitable lift and swing. Brendan Dolan is the son of renowned Irish-traditional pianist Felix Dolan. He has worked with accordionist John Whelan, singer/songwriter Cathie Ryan, Andy Statman, Itzhak Perlman, and the group Atlantic Bridge, which also featured former Solas vocalist Karan Casey. He frequently scores music for various Cable TV companies, including MTV and The Discovery Channel, and in 1995 co-scored the Samuel Golden film "Go Fish." He is currently earning a degree from the Jazz Studies program at SUNY New Paltz, and plays at many ceilis and concerts with various groups around the New York area. His workshop will explore the nuances of Irish flute styles.